Waitematā District Health Scholarships
The Health Scholarship Programme supports Māori and Pacific people living in the Waitematā region (North Shore City, Waitakere City and Rodney District) to complete an undergraduate health science degree with an accredited New Zealand tertiary education provider.
As well as providing support with your course fees of up to $5,000 for each year of your study, we will also provide that all-important connection to our district so you can access clinical placement opportunities during your study. We will also provide you with employment opportunities when you graduate.
Eligibility Criteria
The scholarships are available to people enrolled on undergraduate health science degrees in New Zealand. Examples include:
- midwifery
- nursing
- oral health
- medicine
- occupational therapy
- physiotherapy
- speech language therapy
- laboratory science
- medical radiation technology
- dietetics
- social work
- perioperative practice
The main eligibility criteria for scholarship applications are:
- Enrolment in an undergraduate health science degree in New Zealand
- New Zealand citizenship and/or permanent residency
- Māori or Pacific ethnicity
- A completed online application with CV and cover letter before the closing date
- Evidence of community involvement
- Demonstrated understanding of health inequalities and why we need to grow our Māori and Pacific health workforces.
A commitment to working for Health NZ Waitematā District upon graduation for a minimum of two years
Short-listed applicants will be notified and will be invited to attend an interview. If you are successful receiving a scholarship, you will be required to update us annually on your progress
Please note if you are in the first year of your study and under the “fees free programme” you are ineligible for the scholarship. In this instance, you can apply in year 2 of your study.
Scholarship applications are currently paused for 2025. Please continue to check this page for updates or email us on Health.Scholarships@waitematadhb.govt.nz if you would like to be put on a mailing list or have any questions.
Testimonial from our Scholarship students
"Kia Ora, I am a Massey University Masters student majoring in Human Nutrition and Dietetics, I have always been passionate about nutrition and helping improve the health outcomes of our whānau, our Maori whānau are at higher risk of developing poor health outcomes and I am passionate about making a change and supporting our whānau to lead healthier lifestyles. I am beyond grateful to be taken in on the Waitematā DHB scholarship program, not only did the financial support help, but the opportunity to be taken in on the program and supported throughout my masters degree by the team at Waitematā DHB was amazing. As a new graduate student I feel like the weight of the world has been taken off my shoulders knowing that there are opportunities waiting for me at Waitematā DHB once I graduate and I am so grateful that this scholarship allows me to begin working in a career that I am so passionate about" Gypsy Bullen - 2019 Scholarship Student
"In 2018 I was awarded a Waitematā DHB Health Scholarship. This scholarship has helped to decrease the financial burden, studying caused me and give me the opportunity to work for Waitematā DHB once I have completed my studies. Throughout the scholarship program I have felt supported and welcomed by all staff members and they have provided endless amounts of support! I would highly recommend for all pacific islanders to apply as this is such an awesome program to be in" - Onyay Tugaga - 2018 Scholarship Student